A commentary or exposition upon the four Evangelists, and the Acts of the Apostles: wherein the text is explained, some controversies are discussed, divers common places are handled, and many remarkable matters hinted, that had by former interpreters been pretermitted. Besides, divers other texts of Scripture which occasionally occur are fully opened, and the whole so intermixed with pertinent histories, as will yeeld both pleasure and profit to the judicious reader. / By John Trapp M. A. Pastour of Weston upon Avon in Gloucestershire.

But considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye]

Most mens mindes are as ill set as their eyes: they can turne neither of them inwards. They tell us of a kinde of witches, that stirring a∣broad* 1.1 would put on their eyes, but returning home, they boxed them up again. The Philosophers call upon us, to look to the hin∣der part of the wallet. And S^t James saith, Be not many 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.2 or teachers: and mark the reason, which he prescribeth as a reme∣dy: For in many things we sinne all. Now those that in the sense of their own sinfulnesse are poore in spirit, will soon be meek and mercifull to their fellow sinners: they that have proved their own* 1.3 works, and found all to be (not good and very good, as God did* 1.4 his, but) naught and starke naught, as the figgs in Jeremy, will be content to bear one anothers burdens, and restore such as are over∣taken in a fault with the spirit of meeknesse, considering them∣selves, lest they also be tempted. They will be as willing to lend* 1.5 mercy now, as they may have need to borrow mercy another time. And consciousnesse of their own corruptions will make them compassionate towards others in this kinde. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.6 word, that signifieth to censure, signifieth also, and in the first place,* 1.7 to be idle. Whereunto agreeth that of S^t Paul, (speaking of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 widdows,) they learn to be idle, wandring about from house to house: and not onely idle, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also and busy-bodies, speaking of things that they ought not. Those that travel not* 1.8 with their own hearts, have both leasure and list to be medling with others.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 apud 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  Jam. 3. 1, 2.
• * 1.3

  Gal. 6. 1, 2, 4.
• * 1.4

  Jcr. 24. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  Erratis veni∣am 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 par est.
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 arguo, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 serior, post, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.8

  1 Tim. 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.